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Wayne Carbiener died this morning. He had been ill for some time with respiratory issues.

Carbiener, who represented Hilton Head Island, was elected to the board in November 2008. Despite health problems, he continued to attend board meetings via conference call until his term expired at the end of last year.

Board chairman Bill Evans said Carbiener was "absolutely committed" to the school district.

"We sat next to each other (during board meetings)," Evans said. "I really enjoyed that. He was so thoughtful and really focused on our work."

Evans said he was often struck by Carbiener's ability to succinctly summarize an issue.

"We'd have these round-robin-length conversations and then he would get the floor and make a concise statement that summarized everything and brought it all together," Evans said.

Evans also looked to Carbiener as a model for how he used his school board salary.

Carbiener donated all of his salary, $7,500 per year, to the Foundation for Educational Excellence, a group that gives grants to teachers for classroom projects twice per year.

Evans said that because of Carbiener's example, he donates his salary to the foundation, a similar foundation focused on northern Beaufort County schools, or schools and other organizations directly.

The foundation was set to recognize Carbiener at its annual fundraiser in early March for his generosity.

"Dr. Carbiener was such a good man, such a wise and wonderful person," she said. "He cared so much for children, and he expressed that in his diligent work as a school board member and in his generosity to the foundation."

Funeral arrangements are pending. Evans said the board will recognized Carbiener in some way at its Tuesday meeting.

For more, check back with The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette later today.